Planting his feet in Elmont

Carl Achille has decided to make Elmont home — for good. An Elmont native, Achille left the community eight years ago, when he joined the Army and served in Iraq, and he has since returned, obtained a degree and, last weekend, opened a business.

On April 30, Achille celebrated the grand opening of his new barbershop, The Shop, a 1,000-square-foot building at 1301 Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont — once the home of a laundromat and martial arts studio.

Achille said he and Paul Graziuso, 27, friends for nearly two decades, began talking about opening a barbershop when they were attending the Elmont Memorial High School. Graziuso gained more than 10 years of experience in a barbershop after high school. Last January, they put their plan into effect.

“Building ‘The Shop’ was a no-brainer,” Achille said. “And I just wanted to get back to the community.” Achille, who grew up near Circle Drive in Elmont, attended the Gotham Avenue Elementary School and graduated from Elmont High School in 2001. Shortly after graduation, at 17 years old, he enlisted in the military. Not long after, the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks occurred, and Achille served with the 442nd Military Police Company and provided security at Ground Zero in lower Manhattan. From 2003 to 2004, Achille served with the U.S. Army and was attached to the 101 Airborne Division, serving throughout southern and South/Central Iraq.

When Achille returned home in 2004, he began attending the Nassau Community College, and then the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He recently graduated, obtaining a degree in criminal justice with a minor in law. Graziuso graduated from the City University of New York’s Baruch College, obtaining a bachelor's degree in corporate communication.

During his college years, Achille became involved with the Parkhurst Civic Association, where he served as vice president of membership. He also became involved in the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 455, where he is now a lifelong member.